Marian Hossa eligible for Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, per report

Marian Hossa could be enshrined at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto as soon as 2020, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN.

Hossa, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks from 2010-15, unofficially retired after missing the entire 2017-18 season due to a progressive skin disorder caused by his hockey equipment. The Hockey Hall of Fame’s deems Hossa eligible for induction in 2020 even though he’s technically an active player under contract with the Coyotes, as he hasn’t played a game in three seasons at the time of the 2020 induction.

The decision falls in line with what the Hockey Hall of Fame did for defenseman Chris Pronger, who sat out three seasons with the Flyers and Coyotes due to concussion and eye injuries and was still under contract when he was inducted in 2015.

Hossa signed as a free agent with Chicago in July 2009, and played a key role in winning three championships during his eight-season stint with the Blackhawks. In 19 NHL seasons, Hossa accumulated 1,134 points (525 goals, 609 assists) in 1,309 regular-season games with the Senators (1998-2004), Thrashers (2005-08), Penguins (2008), Red Wings (2008-09) and Blackhawks (2009-17). He added 149 points (52 goals, 97 assists) in 205 postseason contests.

Hossa also was a major player on the international stage for Slovakia’s national team. He racked up 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 19 games at the junior level and 70 points (31 goals, 39 points) in 76 senior-level games. He also had one goal in six games for Team Europe during their silver-medal run at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and president John McDonough and expressed a mutual interest with Hossa for the beloved winger to work within the organization in some capacity once Hossa officially retires.

Phil Housley, who played from 2001-03 with the Blackhawks, was the last Chicago player inducted into the HHOF in 2015.